Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and Procter & Gamble Productions (PGP) have partnered with the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today to announce the second annual FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest. The contest once again invites aspiring television writers to enter their scripts for original half-hour comedy TV pilots for the opportunity to win $25,000 and a development deal with FOX. The winning script will automatically receive consideration to be produced by Procter & Gamble Productions. Scripts must present an original idea for a potential half-hour comedy series. Opening date for script submissions is June 1, 2009.
“A major goal of the New York Television Festival has always been to provide opportunities for new and talented voices to be heard by the TV industry, and this year’s Comedy Script Contest is a revolutionary step toward that goal,” said NYTVF founder Terence Gray. “We are honored to be working with innovators such as FOX and Procter & Gamble Productions on a project that continues to represent an exciting and unprecedented alternative to the existing network television development model.”
“FOX has been a proud supporter of the NYTVF since its inaugural season five years ago,” said Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment for the network. “This contest, now in its second year, is a marker of our commitment to not just the NYTVF, but to also reaching beyond traditional avenues to discover fresh new voices and to shake up the comedy development process.”
“Now in our third year as a Signature Sponsor, we are proud to continue our support of the NYTVF,” said Brian T. Cahill, Senior VP, Managing Director of TeleNext Media, Inc., which manages production of soap operas and other television and new media content for PGP. “Building on our relationship with the NYTVF, we’re thrilled to be able to partner with FOX on a project that incorporates both the production and the distribution of a new comedy series.”
The script contest is open to US Residents age 18 and over who do not have any contractual commitments preventing them from entering into an exclusive development deal with FOX. All scripts not currently under development at a network, studio, or major production company and meeting all other criteria in the Official Rules located at http://nytvf.com/2009_scripts_info.htm are eligible for the competition. Scripts must be between 25 and 35 pages in a proper screenwriting format to be eligible.
Writers can enter by submitting a copy of their script online to the New York Television Festival. Scripts must be saved in a PDF file format and uploaded to the official contest Web site located at http://nytvf.com/2009_scripts_contest.htm. The NYTVF will begin accepting uploaded scripts on June 1, 2009 at 12:00 PM Eastern. The deadline for submissions is June 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM Eastern, or when 1,500 submissions are received, whichever comes first.
A screening committee of NYTVF officials will narrow the pool of entrants down to 25 finalists. These finalists will be presented to FOX and PGP development executives. One winner will be selected by FOX, and he/she will receive $25,000 and a development deal from the network. At this point, PGP and FOX executives may elect to further develop and/or produce the winning script. Additionally, FOX may elect to enter into development agreements with the remaining finalists.
The NYTVF debuted in 2005 as the industry’s first showcase for independent television. The fifth annual NYTVF will be held in Midtown Manhattan September 21-26, 2009.
The 2008 NYTVF was supported by sponsors such as Procter & Gamble Productions, MSN, People’s Choice, the Hollywood Reporter and the William Morris Agency. Official Network Sponsors for the 2008 NYTVF included FOX, NBC Universal, ABC, CBS, HBO, A&E, Bravo, the Rainbow Networks, MTV Networks, truTV, Lifetime, and E!. The NYTVF works in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of New York City.
For more information, please visit www.newyorktelevisionfestival.com.
